On Tuesday, May 13, 2025, students at Catholic Central High School donated more than 1,000 vegetable and herb seedlings to Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan. The seedlings were grown in the school’s new greenhouse, located in the George and Mary Turek Hall of Science.

The project was coordinated by Amy Ely, Director of STEM, as part of an effort to give students hands-on experience with plant science while supporting a local organization that addresses food insecurity.

“We wanted to give students a practical way to apply what they’re learning in biology and environmental science,” Ely said. “At the same time, this was an opportunity to contribute to an organization doing meaningful work in our community.”

The seedlings included a variety of vegetables and herbs, which will be planted and harvested at Gleaners’ Detroit-based farm. Once grown, the produce will be distributed through Gleaners’ food assistance programs across Southeastern Michigan.

Katie Choate, Senior Director of Food Secure Livingston at Gleaners, expressed appreciation for the donation. “Last year in our garden, we grew over 23,00 pounds of produce that we brought back to the community. This year, with all of the seedlings donated by Catholic Central, we hope to exceed that number. I can’t thank Catholic Central enough for all of the love and support that you’ve given Gleaners, not only for the food drive that happened during Catholic Schools Week, but also for cultivating and helping us grow produce in this garden. It means the world to our clients here in Livingston County,” she said.

The JV Blue Lacrosse team assisted with the delivery of the seedlings to Gleaners’ Detroit location, loading trays and helping transport them to the farm. Upon arrival, the boys planted the seeds in the Victory Garden. 

This project was made possible thanks to the greenhouse in George and Mary Turek Hall of Science, which opened in 2022 and has become an important part of Catholic Central’s STEM curriculum.